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4. Avoid Multitasking
When you have too many plates spinning at the same time, they can all come crashing down around you, so try to focus on one task at a time. An effective strategy, according to James, is to block out time slots for each different activity.
“For instance, set aside blocks of time for client meetings, design concept development, sourcing materials, and administrative tasks,” he says. “Stick to your schedule as closely as possible to ensure you have dedicated time for all aspects of your work.”
“I also prefer blocking out a few hours each week for design work and try to switch off my phone or email in order to focus on the project in hand,” interior designer Chantel Elshout says.
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6. Get Comfortable With Delegation
“As leader, your primary role is to set the vision and strategy for the team — steering the ship toward its goals,” Hains says. “By delegating tasks and responsibilities, you not only free up your time to focus on higher-level priorities but also empower your team members to develop their skills, take ownership of their work and contribute to the team’s success. Effective delegation builds trust within the team.”
“No one person can do it all,” says Jeff True, vice president of operations at Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors in Bolingbrook, Illinois. “If you want to keep people for their entire career, they have to feel they are growing. Growth comes from delegation. It allows a more timely response to clients and lets people be specialists in their area of expertise. A high-performing team that is both efficient and results-oriented is rooted in delegation.”
“When delegating, I focus on the bigger picture and hand off tasks like project management, client communication and execution to my incredible team,” Crosby says. “At first it was hard — especially because I’m a bit of a perfectionist. But once I saw the results of trusting my team, it became easier.”
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Don’t assume a potential customer knows everything about the service you offer. That first conversation is your opportunity to get them excited about hiring your business, so make time to take them through how a project would pan out.
“Clients often underestimate the technique, rigor and commitment required as an interior designer, thinking just a moodboard does the trick,” Eude says. “Explaining the process and the boundaries of the service agreed upon ensures everyone is clear about roles.”
Interior designer Lindsey Higgins goes through a sales process with all her leads to make sure they understand what she would offer at each stage of the project.
“It’s a pathway with touch points to explore their needs, how I can help and how I work,” Higgins says. “It helps us both to work out if we’re a good fit to work together, because that’s critical to achieving the right outcome for a client.
“I always know where the prospect is on that journey and I always make sure they know what the next step is,” she says. “Signing a contract only happens at the end when there are no more questions to be answered.”
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